Bryce Dessner

Born: 1976

Nationality: American

Publisher: Chester Music

Bryce Dessner is one of the most sought-after composers of his generation, with a rapidly expanding catalog of works commissioned by leading ensembles. Known to many as a guitarist with The National, he is also active as a curator – a vital force in the flourishing realm of new creative music.

His orchestral, chamber, and vocal compositions have been commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Kronos Quartet, BAM Next Wave Festival, Barbican Centre, Edinburgh International Festival, Sydney Festival, eighth blackbird, Sō Percussion, New York City Ballet, and many others.

Dessner’s music – called “gorgeous, full-hearted” by NPR and “vibrant” by The New York Times – is marked by a keen sensitivity to instrumental color and texture. Propulsive rhythms often alternate with passages in which time is deftly suspended. His harmonies are expressive and flexible, ranging from the dense block chords of Aheym to the spacious modality of Music for Wood and Strings.

Bridging musical languages and communities comes naturally to Dessner, born 1976 in Cincinnati, Ohio. After early training on the flute, he switched to classical guitar in his teens. While in high school he started a band with his twin brother Aaron, also a guitarist. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Yale University. In the late 90's, he formed the adventurous instrumental quartet Clogs, and in 2001, co-founded the critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated indie rock band The National.

Aheym, commissioned by Kronos Quartet, was a breakthrough work. Since its premiere in 2009, the ensemble has played the piece hundreds of times, and recorded it on a 2013 disc devoted to Dessner’s music on the Anti- label. St. Carolyn by the Sea followed in 2014 on Deutsche Grammophon, featuring the lyrical title work and two other Dessner compositions performed by the Copenhagen Phil under Andre de Ridder. May 2015 marks the release on Brassland of Music for Wood and Strings, an album-length work performed by Sō Percussion.

MusicNow, the eclectic Cincinnati-based music festival Dessner founded in 2006, recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. For 2015, he was tapped to curate ‘Mountain and Waves,’ a celebration of his music at the Barbican in London, and a weekend festival at Cork Opera House, Ireland.

In May 2015, Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the premiere of Quilting, a 17-minute score co-commissioned with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Upcoming projects include a score for the New York City Ballet, choreographed by Justin Peck, and a new work commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, to be performed by the New York Philharmonic. Both scores will premiere in the 2015-16 season.

The music of Bryce Dessner is exclusively published by Chester Music Ltd, part of the Music Sales Group